Why We Care

Why We Care

Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN) introduced a bill on July 19 that would allow residents living in manufactured home communities to enjoy more stability without the threat of eviction. The Senate companion bill was introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

Residents of manufactured homes frequently own their homes, but few own the land under the homes. If the owner of that land chooses to sell it, residents are forced into a very expensive and challenging task of relocating their homes.

The Ellison and Shaheen bill encourages owners of manufactured home communities to sell the land to residents or a nonprofit organization by creating a 75% tax credit on the sale of the property. The tax credit requires that the land be used as a manufactured home community for 50 years or longer following the sale. By incentivizing the sale of land to a stabilizing nonprofit organization or to the residents themselves, the legislation helps to preserve a vital form of affordable housing, especially in rural communities.

The bill builds on the success of other ownership cooperative models that have been used in more than 1,000 communities across the nation.